New York, United Nations, SANA- The United Nations on Monday said it was waiting for regional powers spearheading the Syria peace process to agree on who will take part in Syria peace talks scheduled to open in Geneva on January 25.

The peace talks, between the Syrian government and the opposition, are scheduled to open in Geneva on January 25, but invitations have yet to be sent to the delegations.

“At this stage, the UN will proceed with issuing invitations when the countries spearheading the international Syrian Support Group process come to an understanding on who among the opposition should be invited,” AFP quoted UN spokesman Farhan Haq as saying.

Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, on January 15, told Russian “Sputnik” news agency that “the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura did not give us, during his visit to Damascus, the list of opposition delegation or the list of terrorist groups but he promised to send them immediately when he obtained them.”

The UN spokesman told reporters that there were “concerns about arrangements” that had yet to be resolved for the talks to go ahead and added: “If there is any kind of slippage, we will let you know.”

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin said .. de Mistura, told the UN Security Council during a closed-door briefing that “additional work needs to be done” before he can send out invitations.
Reem/ Barry